Registered Sex Offender Arrested for Relationship with Juvenile

The Bay County Sheriff’s Office announced today the arrest of a John Patrick Kelley, a Registered Sex Offender, after an investigation in allegations he was involved in a relationship with a juvenile. Kelley was apprehended in Jackson County, Florida by the Florida Regional Task Force, comprised of members of the Bay County Sheriff’s Office Warrants Division and the US Marshals Service.

On December 26, 2011, deputies were called to residence of the victim by a family member, who had come home unexpectedly during the day and found Kelley, DOB 11/27/69, of 3307 E. Baldwin Road, at the home with the children while all adults in the family were gone. The family member discovered that Kelley had just been released from prison this past August and was now a registered sex offender in Bay County.

When the family member asked the children in the home about Kelley, she was told he had befriended them and was taking the children to local stores and buying gifts for them, all without the knowledge of the adults in the family. His interest appeared more focused on one of the children in particular and when questioned, she admitted that Kelley wanted her to be his girlfriend and that he frequently sent her text messages. Investigators also found a nude photo of Kelley’s genitals on the child’s cell phone.

BCSO Criminal Investigations contacted Kelley and arranged for him to come to the BCSO for an interview. Kelley fled to Jackson County and was apprehended by the Florida Regional Task Force. Kelley has been charged with Interference With Custody and Transmission of Harmful Material to a Minor.

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